More than 5,200 of Missouri’s brightest future business leaders gathered in Springfield from April 13–15 for the 2025 Missouri Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference (SLC). Hosted at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, this annual event brought together student leaders, advisers, industry professionals, and volunteers for three days of dynamic learning, competition, and connection.
The conference welcomed 5,233 total attendees representing high schools from across Missouri. Students who had advanced from their District Leadership Conferences (DLCs) competed in over 70 different competitive events, ranging from public speaking and marketing to cybersecurity and accounting. Hundreds of industry professionals served as volunteer judges, providing real-world feedback and helping identify Missouri’s top competitors.
Beyond competition, attendees engaged in immersive programming designed to develop their leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. This year’s offerings included:
Leadership Academies – Intensive, topic-specific workshops for aspiring professionals
Leadership Labyrinths – A leadership-themed escape room experience
Hands-on Workshops – Covering topics in business, technology, and career readiness
Community Service Projects – Including a statewide effort benefiting the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri
Networking Activities – Helping students build connections with peers and professionals
The Opening Session featured keynote speaker Zack Sheets, a motivational educator and leadership expert from Baylor University, who inspired students to lead with authenticity and purpose.
A highlight of the conference was the recognition of Andrew Reynolds, business teacher at Centralia High School and Chair of the Missouri FBLA Foundation Board, who was named the 2025 Missouri FBLA Adviser of the Year. He will be honored this summer at the FBLA National Leadership Conference.
Missouri’s top student competitors from SLC will advance to the FBLA National Leadership Conference (NLC), set to take place in Anaheim, California, June 29–July 2, 2025, where they will compete against winners from across the nation.
Missouri FBLA continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders, fostering skills in business, leadership, service, and innovation. For more information, visit www.mofbla.org.